MTC Graduates Told, “Your are 21st Century Learners”

Loudoun County, VA (June 22, 2015) – Monroe Technology Center (MTC) held commencement exercises for the 302 members of the Class of 2015 on Wednesday, June 10th, at Tuscarora High School.

“It is my pleasure to bring you greetings and congratulations tonight,” said Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services, Dr. Mary V. Kealy as she welcomed the audience and addressed the graduates.

“You are 21st century learners…you are a generation of innovators, visionaries and entrepreneurs. You have already proven that by the many amazing accomplishments (that) you’ve already achieved as small business owners, inventors, designers, entrepreneurs and so much more. We are looking to you to change the world.

“As you move forward on your life’s journey, I have a few life lessons I would like to share with you:

“Visualize your journey.

“Set your goals high.

“Stay focused; continue to persevere.

“Challenge yourself; seek new opportunities.

“Identify a mentor; learn to ask for help when needed.

“Be a mentor.

“Continue to develop your skills and passions.

“Stay connected; give back to home and school community.

“Always do your best; be true to yourself and live your life to the fullest.”

Misky Sharif of the Class of 2015, a radiology technology student at MTC and Tuscarora High School who accumulated more than 600 volunteer hours of service, introduced the keynote speaker, Chief W. Keith Brower Jr. of Loudoun County’s Combined Fire & Rescue System. Brower has served Loudoun County for the past 42 years and is a graduate of Loudoun County High School. As he moved to the podium, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Firefighter graduates greeted him in unison with, “Good evening, sir.”

“You have the basic tools to do the job, but that’s it. You aren’t fully ready to be able to function on your own,” Brower told the graduates. “You have to take each skill that you’ve learned and practice it over and over and over until you can do it in your sleep…or even better, blindfolded.

“What will the road map look like? Let me suggest that you pattern your life according to a self-designed creed. A creed is a statement of organized beliefs. It’s your recipe for life, used to guide your future attitudes and actions.

“I’ll suggest some ingredients to help you get started.

“Character: Your character will define you to others.

“Value a person for who they are.

“Be inspired by the good life – pass that inspiration on to others.

“Be secure in yourself and what you are – don’t be threatened by others or things you don’t know.

“Don’t abuse power.

“Forgive others.

“Acknowledge and apologize for your mistakes.

“Commitment: Try hard and do your job well. When you are committed, your talents begin to flow and you can make things happen.

“Always be open to all of life’s possibilities.

“Strive to learn more, to get experience and to push the envelope.

“Community: Gear your life towards some level of service to your fellow man. Service to others is a cornerstone to building community.

“Begin tonight thinking seriously about the rest of your life; not just what you will do and how you will do it,” he said. “(Think about) how your efforts will contribute to the common good we all want and need.”

Brower closed with a quote from Sir Winston Churchill. “Never give in, never quit, never yield to force…God bless you and good luck.”